Tiny used outboard motor price...am I missing something?

[Tweek1106]

Just got a 12' jonboat and have been looking to put a tiny, and I do mean teeny tiny, outboard motor on it. If at any time it sounds like I have no idea what I'm talking about.... that's because I don't. This is my first boat and my first experience with anything related to boating.

 

It's only rated for a 5hp but honestly I am looking for between a 1/2 & 3 hp motor.... something to slowly but steadily get me where I need to go on small lakes and ponds.

 

To say that I'm shocked with the prices of even the smallest and used motors of this size would be a understatement. I don't know what the deal is but a outboard motor of this size seems little more than a lawnmower engine with a propeller......and for some reason I can't find even a used one for less than $200 (and most look on their last leg).

 

Anyone know why outboards are so expensive? Or can point me in the direction of a cheaper supplier?

 

[IndianaOutdoors]

That's about what I see for used prices too.  I won't pretend I understand why the prices are what they are but I never thought they were out of line considering what a new boat motor costs.  You may consider looking for a used trolling motor instead.  I fish mostly smaller lakes and usually troll the whole lake without ever firing up the outboard.

[Tweek1106]

1 hour ago, IndianaOutdoors said:

That's about what I see for used prices too.  I won't pretend I understand why the prices are what they are but I never thought they were out of line considering what a new boat motor costs.  You may consider looking for a used trolling motor instead.  I fish mostly smaller lakes and usually troll the whole lake without ever firing up the outboard.

Well at least I don't feel crazy.

 

I've found new ones for $230 (oddly enough, I've never seen a used one for less) at Walmart online and a couple other online suppliers.

 

I actually did get a trolling motor with it, I may just stick with that if it's like you said and it's enough for the small lakes i fish. 

 

How long will a typical battery charge last for a smaller trolling motor?

[IndianaOutdoors]

It depends on use, motor size, battery capacity, boat weight, boat size, wind, current, etc.  I have only ran a battery dead once and that was fishing on a river with strong current, using full thrust almost the entire time.  I would say 4-6 hrs run time.  If I'm fishing a lake and it isn't very windy, I can run all day bc I'm only actually running the motor maybe 50% of my time on the water.  I can't say what time you will get out of a battery but you should definitely start with a trolling motor unless you know you need to cover a lot of water to get to a particular spot.  A trolling motor is much more useful for the actual fishing part of boating.  I just found the Walmart motor you're talking about.  I wouldn't waste my money unless you just want to run it for a weekend and return it.  Might not even last that long.  Get a big battery and go fishing. 

[Gundog]

Tweek I had a small jon boat when I was younger and only used a TM. Much easier than an outboard and you don't have the mess of dealing with gas and oil. IndianaOutdoors is right. How long a battery lasts has a lot of variables. Good thing is a TM allows you to get to the exact spot you want to fish and cruise along while still fishing. 

[Way2slow]

If you are only wanting one motor, the gas might not be the way you want to go.  There are great for getting you to and from where you want to fish, but unless you just plan to anchor and fish one spot when you get there, they are not worth a darn for moving around casting, and sitting at the bow and using a short paddle in one hand while holding rod in other gets very old, very quick.  Plus you have the problem with local laws that forbid gas motors in water shed ponds and a lot of smaller lakes.  Plus a lot of land owners don't want gas motors in their private ponds. 

 

The other side of the situation, an electric TM is great for easing around casting, but if fishing larger lakes, the batteries run time getting you to and from where you might want to fish can get to be a problem.  However you don't have the restrictions with an electric motor you have with gas motors on small lakes.

So, in the ideal world, you would want both, a small gas motor.

 

As for small gas motors, on a 12ft jon, you will want between a 3 and 5hp.  Also, unless you are good with engines, stick with one of the major brand name, Mercury, Johnson, Honda, Yamaha and not one that's very old unless it's in like new condition.  You start getting into the off brands, even if brand new, parts and dependability can become a major problem after a couple of years.  Yes, you can buy a brand new off brand Chinese built motor cheaper than you can buy a good used, Mercury or Johnson, but I would take the Merc or Johnson any day of the week over the off brand.

[12poundbass]

10 hours ago, Tweek1106 said:

Well at least I don't feel crazy.

 

I've found new ones for $230 (oddly enough, I've never seen a used one for less) at Walmart online and a couple other online suppliers.

 

I actually did get a trolling motor with it, I may just stick with that if it's like you said and it's enough for the small lakes i fish. 

 

How long will a typical battery charge last for a smaller trolling motor?

I've never gotten around to fixing my outboard because honestly I don't need it for where I fish. I have a 14' boat and get by just fine with my TM. A good charge will last you 8 hours or more, depending on how much you use it and how hard you run it.

[PECo]

A newer, digitally-controlled trolling motor will use battery power much more efficiently than an old trolling motor that uses a rheostat to control the speed of the motor.

 

Also, a 24-volt trolling motor is more efficient than a 12-volt trolling motor and a 36-volt tolling motor is more efficient than a 24-volt trolling motor.

[BrianSnat]

Quote

How long will a typical battery charge last for a smaller trolling motor?

How long it lasts will depend on the size of the boat,  conditions and how much you are using it.  I have two batteries in my 14 ft V hull  and have yet to run down  the first battery over two days of fishing.  But I use the outboard to move me between spots and only use the electric when I'm actually fishing.   I'll troll with the electric most of the time, but if it is especially windy I will save  the electric for casting and use the gas motor for trolling.

If you are using the electric to move from place to place, troll, etc.  You should get at least 5 hours out  of it with a boat of your size,  if it isn't too windy.  If you are going electric only, definitey have two batteries.  THere were times before I bought the gas outboard where I was trying to get back to the dock with the electric after a day of fishing and I barely made it. Once or twice I had to break out the oars. That backup battery might save the day sometimes.

I still think the electric motor combined with gas is the way to go.  In my boat, which is a fairly heavy 14 footer, the 9.9 can push me along at up to 20 mph if I'm alone and about 15-18 with a buddy. Higher with my 120 lb girlfriend, slower with my 240 lb buddy. I top off at about 3.5 mph with the 55  lb thrust electric, alone, in calm conditions.  With my heavier  friend in the bow, maybe 2.5. Going into a stiff wind I don't even break 2 mph.  On a small pond that may not be an issue, but if you are on a lake that is more than a mile or two long or wide you will appreciate that gas motor, especially on breezy days    

[3crows]

A 3.5 may plane at 12 footer, a 5 likely will with two 170 pounders. Outboards are expensive and always have been. Ever seen the price on a 150? And, if well cared for they do not depreciate very much and if they are not well cared for you do not want it.

 

We live in a two economy world, the China/Walmart economy where most items are made to some specification, maybe, with some fake brand name stamped on it, state supported, name your flavor. The other is the real economy of name brand quality goods manufactured in democracies and by employees trying to keep a living wage, Yamaha, Evinrude, Mercury or Shimano etc. by companies that are capitalistic and profit driven.

 

A good name brand outboard is an investment in years of fun and pleasure if taken care of it can last a lifetime or more. I have my grandfathers Evinrude 3.5 manufactured in circa 1959 and it runs like a top. 

[slonezp]

If the outboard runs, I would think $250 would be the minimum cost no matter what the horsepower. A good running 9.9-15hp costs $600-$800 in my neck of the woods, and that motor might be 40 years old

[WRB]

The problem with most inexpensive small outboard engines is they are air cooled and noisy and smoky. You want a water cooled small outboard engine and a electric trolling motor for bass fishing. Kayaks are popular for this reason, no outboard engine is needed.

Tom

[ClackerBuzz]

i can easily fish 8-10 hours on my trolling motor, in 14ft jon boat, and still have plenty of charge at end of day.  variable speed trolling motors last the longest b/c they are so efficient (instead of 5 click speeds you can increase/decrease like a dial).  battery size is important also- group 24-28 are standard but you'll go much longer with group 31.  my setup is 12v and it's great.  it's important to note that my batteries are still like new in their 4 season b/c when not in use they are on a charger 24/7/365.